LOVE, HATE, LOVE
US, 1970, 72 minutes, Colour.
Ryan O'Neal, Lesley Warren, Peter Haskell.
Directed by George Mc Cowan.
Love, Hate, Love is an effective, if average, telemovie. Directed by George Mc Cowan, who has made a range of small telemovies and film features such as Frogs, it is the story of newlyweds harassed by the wife's ex-suitor who is a wealthy maniac. There is quite a deal of suspense and final shocks in the confrontation of suitor and wife. The film has Ryan O'Neal as star - just prior to his success in Love Story. The heroine is a very young Lesley Ann warren who was successful in the '70s in films and television series, culminating in an Oscar nomination for her dumb blonde role in Victor Victoria. Peter Haskell is the suave villain. Nothing new but competently done.
1. Entertainment value of this telemovie? Impact for audiences at home? The love story theme, the thriller, violence and madness? A conventional story - how well done?
2. The young stars more at the beginning of their careers? Their strengths in the film? The colour photography, New York background. transition to California? Score and atmosphere?
3. The background of fashion, work, wealth, homes, the suburbs?
4. Sheila and her work? Attractiveness? The clashes with Leo and her trying to break with him? Her fondness for Russ and his support? The flirting. dates, breaking off, the fights? Her change in marrying Russ and the atmosphere of fear? The reasons for her marrying? Her relationship with her parents and discussions with them? The way of life in California, contacts with Leo? Phone calls, meetings? The build-up to fear and final confrontation? Terror? A brief characterisation of the terrorised woman?
5. Russ and his ordinariness, a nice man, the fight with Leo and Leo's vindictiveness, his marrying Sheila, trying to cope with the marriage and with Sheila's terror, sharing her fears, bewildered, the final confrontation? Sketch of the American husband?
6. Leo and his suave style, dates with Sheila, breaking in, fighting with Russ? Pursuing Sheila after the wedding? Sending the gift and getting the address from her parents? The clash with Russ? The tickets for the ball game? The final arrival, telephone calls, confrontation? The madness and the violence erupting?
7. The sketch of Sheila’s parents, reaction towards Leo, the ball game and giving the address? The deceit of the secretary helping Leo?
8. Qualities of suspense, the plausibility of the fear. the credibility of the reactions, audience sympathies? Themes of love, marriage, hate and violence?
